Life Is A Tool

Then this message came to me from the LORD: “Son of man, with one blow I will take away your dearest treasure. Yet you must not show any sorrow at her death. Do not weep; let there be no tears. Groan silently, but let there be no wailing at her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the usual rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends.” [Ezekiel 24.15-17]

As I read this today, I was appalled at the utility manner in which life was viewed... But my being appalled means nothing, does it? In fact, in that state of mind, God made me understand that life is merely a tool. 

That's it. Life is a tool.

We are given life that we might have something to give to God. Otherwise, we would be entirely empty-handed before Him.

This brings up an important point. Life is not "our" tool - it did not originate with us, but it is God's - He gave it. All we really "possess" of our own is our soul. Life is the tool God gave us that, in giving it back to Him, our soul is attached with it. Life is the vehicle that transports our soul to God... or not.

To pursue this idea further, the Holy Spirit is also from God and serves as the fuel (power) for the vehicle of life to transport our soul to God. God's Spirit is the power that accomplishes the promptings of faith. A measure of faith is installed into every human soul. That measure of faith is enhanced and multiplied by the working of the Word of God which, in sum total, is the Son of God (and, there is Jesus)!

In this same line of thought, Jesus' life was a tool as well. Look what He did with it!

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. [1 John 3.16]

How I came to this conclusion from the passage in Ezekiel baffles even me... But I am glad I did!

Father, help me to rightly consider "life" and why You gave it!